Indonesia Earthquake Relief

On September 30 and October 1, 2009, two deadly earthquakes struck near the city of Padang on Indonesia’s island of Sumatra. The first a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck at 1:16 p.m. local time on September 30, while the second a magnitude-6.8 quake struck about 24 hours later. These quakes killed at least 1,117 people, damaged or destroyed over 200,000 houses, and made thousands of persons homeless.

Mercy-USA's Response

In October and November 2009, Mercy-USA for Aid and Development’s office in Indonesia distributed food packages and family kits to 1,000 families severely affected by these devastating earthquakes. In addition, 347 of these families received temporary shelters. Each food package contained: 22 pounds of rice, 20 packages of noodles, 4.4 lb. of sugar, 2 liters of cooking oil, 2 cans of sardines, 2 cans of condensed milk, 1 pack of biscuits and 5 packs of tea.  Each family kit included: a 25-liter plastic bucket, a frying pan, one pot, 6 plates, 12 spoons, 6 plastic cups, one towel, one blanket, clothing, 4.4 lb. of detergent, bath soap, 2 toothbrushes, toothpaste and feminine hygiene pads.

Click here for more information on these relief distributions.

Dedicated to alleviating human suffering and supporting individuals and their communities in their efforts to become more self-sufficient, Mercy-USA for Aid and Development has an office in Indonesia and has been implementing relief and reconstruction programs for the survivors of the 2004 tsunami, earthquake survivors (including one that struck Padang in March 2007) and other vulnerable persons.

Mercy-USA is also a registered PVO (Private Voluntary Organization) with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and is a member of the American Council for Voluntary International Action (InterAction).